01/10/2026
Please read if you are a young adult. The new year is a time to get moving with your life.
Maybe re-think your direction.....
I usually post ads about my business and for my business every week. Today i'm posting something that won't benefit me, but may just benefit you.
I'm not selling you anything or giving any promises, just some friendly advice, maybe some inspiration, from an old man, that, I believe, has made a small impact on society.
If you are looking for not just a good job but more for a career, please read this through.
If you are just starting your life into adulthood or have been an adult for a few years and still not sure what your path will be, consider coming into the trades. Become a tradesman.
Don't think for a minute that this kind of work is just for men, you would be wrong. I have met and worked with hundreds of women who were just as good as, and some who were better than their male counterparts.
Learn to build, to do electrical, to plumb, to install heating and cooling systems, to be a carpenter, to do concrete work, to be a heavy equipment operator, to become an iron worker, to become a tradesman.
Tradesman build things. Look around you.
Every road you drive on, every house or apartment complex you see, every building that has a business sign in front if it, every industrial plant that makes products we buy every day, were built by tradesman, by men and women using their hands and using their brains to build our world.
No, i'm not saying that college and a degree shouldn't be or Isn't your path if that's what you choose, but most of the time, college also comes with instant debt and no guarantee that you will get a job when you take that degree in with you to get a job and start a career. No guarantee that you will succeed with that degree. Consider the trades.
If you don't have a golden ticket to college, and have to work your way through, the trades may also be a good option.
I am definitely not trying to discourage anyone from going to college if that is your goal, college is good.
I'm just saying there are good options if college isn't in your future.
Just remember the hospital you were born in, the home you grew up in, the school you went to, the store where you buy your food, the restaurant you just ate lunch in, were all built by tradesman.
We will always be building things. Building society.
Even when AI takes over a job or a career, AI will never be able to build things, it will never be able to walk into a home or business and fix things. AI will never be able to figure out why somethimg doesn't work, and fix it the same day. Only trained tradesmen will be capable of doing that.
That's called job security.
I'm also not saying the trades are for everyone, you still have to have an aptitude for it. You have to want to work and learn.
It will be hard work, long hours, and you will get your hands dirty. You will work harder than you ever have before and learn for 4 years or more before you even get somewhat good at what you do.
You will get cuts and bruises, grow calluses and have back pain. You will have to be dedicated. You will get a good paycheck when you first start out and it will only get better. After 4 years or more, after listening and learning, you may qualify to take a test and earn your journeyman license, and then the pay gets real good.
Your job will also become more rewarding than you ever could have imanaged.
The trades do not lie. You can fake it on social media or maybe fake it in the classroom. You cannot fake the trades. If you are late for work, take shortcuts or cut corners, the trades will expose you with a callback. You will have to learn to ba able to advance. If you don't work hard and efficient, you won't advance. The trades are not easy but the trades will give you second and third chance until you learn to do it right the first time.
I have been a licensed electrician for over 48 years and have always had a job and have worked since high school.
I can quit or get laid off today and have another job tomorrow.
I applied for unemployment once, yes only once, but ended up getting a job before I received my first check. In 48 years, if I wanted to work, I did
I can drive all around Puget Sound, in 7 other states, go to the the Caribbean and the South Pacific, and see houses, apartments, or commercial buildings that I have helped build decades ago.
No I never went to college and didn't earn any degrees.
I just have a GED
But I have gone to school and also take classes continuously to better myself and learn my trade. I love what I do
I started my business over 21 years ago and have become successful and self sufficient.
I'm not rich and probably will never be.
What I do have is a respectful career that pays excellent wages. I make an honest living where I was able to build an awesome life and to raise my kids in comfort. I was able to give them most everything they wanted but more importantly was able to give them everything that they needed..
I had the absolute privilege of training many electricians including my son and he also has earned his own successful career. One of my greatest accomplishments.
If you made it this far reading about the trades and are interested, go and get a job.
We all need you. All the trades need you.
They might be looking for you. Construction companies are always hiring.
Get yourself a pair of boots, a hardhat, ready to go to work. Go to a large construction site or two and go in and get a job. Get your foot in the door. Google contracting shops, don't call, but go in ready to work and apply. There are companies out there looking for you.
Maybe after 20 or 30 years you can be like me and drive past someone's family home or someone's business and say to yourself, I helped build that. I did something important. I made a difference. Those people are electrically safe because of me.
That is a very rewarding feeling.
So if this post interests you please consider going to the trades, any trade. Go to work.
It's time to get your hands dirty.
Share this with someone who may need to hear this.
Please comment or message me if you have any questions, if i can answer them, I would be happy to.
